Developmental changes and effect on intramuscular fat content of H-FABP and A-FABP mRNA expression in pigs

J Appl Genet. 2013 Feb;54(1):119-23. doi: 10.1007/s13353-012-0122-0. Epub 2012 Nov 8.

Abstract

H-FABP and A-FABP genes are considered as candidates for intramuscular fat (IMF) accretion. The aim of the present study was to assess the expression of H-FABP and A-FABP genes in m. longissimus dorsi (LD) and liver tissues of Laiwu and Lulai Black pig populations of different body weight (BW). Eighty-four barrows at different BW (30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100 kg, n = 6 per group) of Laiwu Black pig (no 100 kg group) and Lulai Black pig (no 30 kg group) were used to study the development changes of A-FABP and H-FABP mRNA expression and their relationships to IMF content. The results showed that, in both breeds, the IMF content increased continuously with growing (P < 0.05). The expression of H-FABP and A-FABP genes also increased with growing in LD tissue (P < 0.05), and reached a peak at 50 and 70 kg BW in Laiwu and Lulai Black pig, respectively. However, this regularity was not observed in liver tissue in both breeds. A positive correlation was just found between the A-FABP mRNA expression level in LD tissue and IMF content and BW in both breeds (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the A-FABP gene is strongly related to the development and function of IMF accretion in pigs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipocytes / metabolism
  • Adipose Tissue / anatomy & histology*
  • Animals
  • Body Weight / genetics
  • Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Gene Expression
  • Genotype
  • Meat / analysis
  • Muscle, Skeletal / anatomy & histology
  • Muscle, Skeletal / growth & development*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism*
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • Sus scrofa / anatomy & histology
  • Sus scrofa / genetics*
  • Sus scrofa / growth & development

Substances

  • Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger